Chapter 835: Chapter 352: Fright (Part 1)
Madam Ping hesitated for a moment, then said, "I heard from the Marquis that Heyue will be adopted under the name of the Marquis’s biological brother. The third brother of Marquis Weiyuan passed away at the age of fifteen. Yueyao, if Heyue is adopted, what do you think?"
Yueyao was taken aback. Just a few days ago, they were still talking about a marital crisis, and now the topic has shifted to adoption. What a divine twist of events.
Seeing that Yueyao did not object, Madam Ping pushed further, "Yueyao, although Heyue is quite robust in appearance, men do not rely on their looks to make a living. If Heyue is adopted, he won’t have parents or siblings to trouble him; marrying him means becoming the ruling Madam. Moreover, Heyue currently holds a Fifth Rank official position, and may later secure a First Rank title for you. Yueyao, this marriage proposal is truly worthwhile, and once missed, it cannot be regained." Madam Ping was saying these words as instructed by Luo Shao. Luo Shao had asked Madam Ping to feel out Yueyao’s opinion; if Yueyao agreed, once Heyue was adopted, the marriage could be finalized. In fact, Madam Ping believed that once An Zhichen was adopted, many would surely come to propose because this marriage offers substance and status.
Yueyao, hearing these words, blushed and lowered her head, cautiously asking after a while, "Will he really be adopted?" Yueyao understood An Zhichen’s situation better than Madam Ping.
Madam Ping was overjoyed. So many suitors had been rejected by Yueyao at Ma’s Mansion, and Madam Ping was prepared for rejection again this time but received this unexpected delight instead. Yueyao’s question indicated her interest, "I heard from the Marquis that Marquis Weiyuan has already consented, so there shouldn’t be any issues." Marquis Weiyuan agreed, and the clan also approved, making the adoption a certainty.
Yueyao kept her head down without speaking.
Madam Ping guessed what Yueyao might be worried about, "You can rest assured; if Heyue is not adopted, we won’t mention it. If it is settled, then let Heyue propose at Ma’s Mansion; how do you feel about it?"
Yueyao was flustered. Her reaction was genuine rather than feigned; considering An Zhichen to be a good match is one thing, but discussing an actual marriage proposal is another.
Knowing not to be overly hasty, Madam Ping smiled and changed the topic, "Yueyao, Cloth Workshop has produced some new styles. Once the clothes are ready, you should go and have a look; pick out a few items you like. A young lady should dress beautifully."
Before leaving the Capital City, Zhuang Ruolan entrusted the Cloth Workshop and Rouge Shop to Madam Ping. Since Madam Ping was already one of the major shareholders, she handed the workshop management to her trusted confidante. Both the Cloth Workshop and Rouge Shop have developed a reputation in the Capital City over the past few years, increasing Madam Ping’s dowry significantly.
Yueyao smiled, saying, "Okay." Clothes from the Cloth Workshop are not cheap, even the least expensive ones costing three or four taels of silver. However, as a shareholder, Yueyao gets them at cost price; most of her clothes are custom-ordered directly from Cloth Workshop these days.
On the way back, Yueyao looked at Xiang Wei and smilingly asked, "Xiang Wei, when will the money return on investment?"
Once Xiang Wei learned that Yueyao was wealthy and preferred to store her silver in Money Shop, she began frequently mentioning that money idle is money lifeless; only investing makes money grow.
Initially reluctant to invest, Yueyao finally yielded to Xiang Wei’s persuasion, feeling that holding money was indeed lifeless. So when Xiang Wei mentioned a promising investment project, Yueyao gave her the money. But four years later, there hadn’t been any returns. Yueyao had resigned herself to the possibility of the money being lost.
Xiang Wei chuckled, "By the end of this year, the money will return, and henceforth all will be profits. The first two years were losses because there was no understanding of the trick. Now that the trick is understood, wealth certainly will flow?"
Yueyao was astonished, "What kind of business are you doing that allows for a return within a year?" Xiang Wei had demanded twelve thousand taels of silver at the start, forcing Yueyao to take out even her base savings from Money Shop.
Xiang Wei had kept her business secret, not wanting to inform Yueyao, fearing her cautious nature would object to such a risky endeavor. Xiang Wei smiled and explained, "At first, I was uncertain, so I didn’t dare to tell you. Actually, I invested your money in a merchant caravan that undertakes businesses others don’t dare to."
Yueyao quickly understood, "You didn’t send the merchant caravan to Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia to trade cattle and sheep, did you?"
Xiang Wei laughed heartily, "The young lady is truly well-informed, nearly guessed right." The difference was much more significant in reality; Xiang Wei invested in a merchant caravan that officially transports goods but secretly also engages in smuggling. The opportunity to invest in this caravan came fortuitously.
Years ago, while on a task, Xiang Wei saved a life out of kindness, and the person she saved is now the caravan’s Master. Four years ago, this person suffered business losses but wanted to resume his old trade and struggled for funds, which Xiang Wei happened to discover. Wanting to invest Yueyao’s capital in business, she seized this golden opportunity.
Xiang Wei quickly found this person, expressed her willingness to invest, and clarified that she only wants dividends, not involvement in caravan affairs, leading to a swift partnership.
In fact, the caravan was profitable by the second year; the earnings were reinvested to expand its operations, a fact Xiang Wei did not intend to disclose to Yueyao.
Seeing Yueyao’s disapproval, Xiang Wei said, "Young lady, rather than storing your money in a Money Shop, isn’t it better to let me handle it?"
Yueyao replied awkwardly, "I do purchase good shop spaces and land as well." She lacks a knack for business, preferring to buy fixed assets that yield steady returns yearly, which she deems safest.
Xiang Wei muttered, "Then when you earn money, you’ll end up buying shop spaces again, won’t you? Good shop spaces are hard to find!" Prime shop spaces and properties don’t sell unless in trouble; even if available, those well-informed buy them first. Yueyao usually buys leftovers.
Yueyao trusts Xiang Wei, saying, "Then tell me how the money should be used?" Several shop dividends total tens of thousands of taels annually, and land and shop profits also hover around twenty thousand taels. Yueyao receives this much income yearly but doesn’t know how else to handle it aside from buying property or depositing in Money Shop.
Xiang Wei presently lacks a solid idea, "Let me think it over." Anyway, there’s plenty of time.